Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the theft of numerous work vans and thousands of dollars in tools and equipment across Delaware County over the past few months.

Joseph Murray, 36, of the 400 block of Burmont Road in the township’s Drexel Hill section, is charged theft and related offenses in Haverford, Upper Darby, Springfield and Lansdowne, according to court records.

Alleged co-conspirator Antoine Gardiner, who owns the building in Philadelphia where the stolen goods were allegedly stashed, was arrested by Philadelphia police and charged with receiving stolen property.

According to authorities, at least 18 works vans and thousands of dollars in tools across Delaware County have been stolen since the summer.

Law enforcement authorities from numerous municipalities have been working together on the case after numerous work vans were reported stolen. Some of the vehicles were found abandoned with their contents, work tools and equipment, missing.

After law enforcement developed information about the thefts, Philadelphia police set up surveillance outside of a building at N. 51st Street and Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia named “Home Max,” according to court documents.

Tax records indicate Gardiner is the owner of the building.

On two occasions in early October, police watched as a contractor’s van pulled up at the building and its contents unloaded into the building, court documents indicate.

Philadelphia police obtained a search warrant for the building and on Oct. 6 it was executed. Inside, police found hundreds of tools and other equipment believed to have been stolen.

Murray is being held in Delaware County prison, unable to post bail.

Gardiner was charged in Philadelphia and released on bail pending a preliminary hearing next week. There is an active bench warrant for Gardiner for failure to appear in district court in Upper Providence, where he is charged with writing bad checks.